The 13th Child The Birth Of The Jersey Devil

By Reece Hensley and Doug Hensley

In the heart of New Jersey's Pine Barrens lies a village haunted by a curse born centuries ago. When John, the village leader, and his companions confront the legendary Nightbringer, they believe they've triumphed over darkness. But as shadows stir once more, they face a new, ancient evil-the Eternal Night. With the fate of their home ha

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ingram Spark
• Release date: Jun 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798330232192

Book preview

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The 13th Child

The Birth Of The Jersey Devil

By

Reece Hensley

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1: The Unwanted Pregnancy

Chapter 2: The Birth

Chapter 3: The Transformation

Chapter 4: The First Sightings

Chapter 5: The Beast in the Barrens=

Chapter 6: The Zoo's Reward

Chapter 7: The Devil's Revenge

Chapter 8: The Witch's Warning.

Chapter 9: A Family in Peril

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Chapter 10: The Scholar's Investigation

Chapter 11: The Night Attack

Chapter 12: The Ritual

Chapter 13: The Descent into the Barrens

Chapter 14: The Confrontation

Chapter 15: The Curse Breaks

Chapter 16: Aftermath

Chapter 17: A New Threat

Chapter 18: The Scholar's Sacrifice

Chapter 19: The Final Battle

Chapter 20: Peace Restored

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Author's Notes

In the heart of New Jersey's Pine Barrens lies a village haunted by a curse born centuries ago. When John, the village leader, and his companions confront the legendary Nightbringer, they believe they've triumphed over darkness. But as shadows stir once more, they face a new, ancient evil—the Eternal Night. With the fate of their home hanging in the balance, they must summon every ounce of courage and light to face this ultimate threat. In a gripping tale of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring battle between light and darkness, The Final Darkness explores the depths of fear and the boundless power of hope in the face of the unknown.

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Chapter 1: The Unwanted Pregnancy Prologue

The Pine Barrens of New Jersey, 1735. A thick, unsettling fog rolled through the dense forest, cloaking the trees in an eerie shroud. Shadows danced ominously, playing tricks on the eyes of those brave—or foolish—enough to venture into its depths. Whispers of ancient curses and dark legends filled the air, seeping into the minds of the superstitious and the fearful. In the heart of this haunting landscape stood a modest cabin, home to the Leeds family. Little did they know, their lives were about to be forever changed by a night of unparalleled terror.

Section 1: The Leeds Family

The Leeds family was well-known in the Pine Barrens, not for their wealth or

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status, but for their sheer size. Deborah Leeds, the matriarch, had borne twelve children. Life was hard in the Barrens, and each new child meant another mouth to feed, another body to clothe. John Leeds, Deborah's husband, was a hardworking man, but the endless toil of maintaining their small farm took its toll on his spirit and health.

Deborah was a woman of formidable strength, both physically and mentally. She managed the household with a firm hand, ensuring that her children were disciplined and well-behaved. Yet, as strong as she was, the prospect of another pregnancy weighed heavily on her. She often found herself staring out of the small window of their cabin, watching the shadows of the forest with a growing sense of dread.

Section 2: The Unwelcome News

It was a chilly evening in late autumn when Deborah first suspected she might

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be pregnant again. She had been feeling unusually tired and nauseous, familiar signs that she had come to recognize all too well. As the realization dawned on her, a deep, bone-chilling fear gripped her heart. She couldn't bear the thought of another child, another burden.

That night, as she lay in bed beside her snoring husband, her mind raced with dark thoughts. She thought about the twelve children already under her care, the relentless work, the sleepless nights. She felt a surge of frustration and despair. In a moment of weakness, she muttered a curse under her breath, condemning the unborn child to a fate worse than death.

Section 3: The Curse

The curse she uttered was not one of mere words. It carried the weight of her anguish, her fear, and her resentment. Let this child be the devil, she whispered, her voice trembling with a

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mixture of rage and sorrow. She immediately regretted her words, but it was too late. The curse had been spoken, and the dark forces of the Pine Barrens had heard her plea.

The following days were a blur of dread and denial. Deborah tried to convince herself that the curse was just a momentary lapse, that it held no real power. But deep down, she knew the Barrens were a place of old magic and dark secrets. Whispers of strange creatures and malevolent spirits were woven into the fabric of the land.

Section 4: The Dark Forest

As her pregnancy progressed, Deborah found herself increasingly drawn to the forest. It was as if an invisible force was pulling her into the shadows of the Barrens. She would wander the woods, listening to the rustling leaves and the distant cries of unseen animals. The forest seemed to be alive, pulsating with

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a sinister energy.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Deborah ventured deeper into the woods than she had ever gone before. The trees grew thicker and more twisted, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. She stumbled upon an old, abandoned cabin, hidden away in a small clearing. It was a place she had never seen before, a place that seemed to emanate an aura of malevolence.

As she approached the cabin, a sense of foreboding washed over her. The air grew colder, and she felt a chill run down her spine. She hesitated at the threshold, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite her fear, something compelled her to enter.

Section 5: The Witch's Warning

Inside the cabin, the air was thick with the scent of decay. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling, and the floor was covered in

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dust and debris. In the center of the room stood a figure, cloaked in shadow. As Deborah's eyes adjusted to the dim light, she realized it was an old woman, her face lined with age and her eyes burning with an unnatural fire.

I've been expecting you, the woman said in a voice that was both ancient and ageless. You carry a heavy burden, child.

Deborah felt a wave of fear and awe wash over her. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat.

You have cursed your own flesh and blood, the woman continued, her eyes piercing into Deborah's soul. The curse you uttered in your moment of weakness has awakened dark forces. The child you carry is marked.

Tears streamed down Deborah's face as the weight of her actions settled upon her. What can I do? she whispered, her voice trembling with desperation.

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The old woman shook her head. The curse cannot be undone. But there may be a way to protect yourself and your family. You must be strong, for the darkness will come for you.

Section 6: The Descent into Madness

The days and nights that followed were filled with a growing sense of dread. Deborah's pregnancy progressed rapidly, and with it, her fear and anxiety intensified. She began to have vivid nightmares, filled with images of a monstrous creature stalking the woods, its eyes glowing with malevolence.

Her health deteriorated, and she became increasingly isolated from her family. Her children noticed the change in her, but they were too young to understand the depth of her despair. John tried to comfort her, but his efforts were in vain. Deborah was haunted by the knowledge of the curse and the impending birth of her thirteenth child.

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Section 7: The Storm

As the day of the birth approached, the weather took a turn for the worse. A violent storm swept through the Pine Barrens, lashing the trees with fierce winds and torrential rain. The sky was dark and foreboding, reflecting the turmoil within Deborah's soul.

On the night of the birth, the storm reached its peak. The wind howled like a pack of wolves, and thunder rumbled ominously in the distance. Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was tense and fearful. The midwives arrived, their faces pale and drawn as they prepared for the delivery.

Deborah's labor was long and difficult. She screamed in agony as the storm raged outside, the sound of her cries mingling with the roar of the wind. The midwives worked tirelessly, their hands trembling as they tried to help her through the birth.

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Section 8: The Birth of the Beast

At last, the child was born. For a brief moment, there was silence. The midwives held their breath, hoping that the baby would be healthy and normal. But their hopes were dashed as the child let out a blood-curdling scream.

The baby, at first glance, appeared to be a normal newborn. But as the minutes passed, a horrifying transformation began. The baby's skin turned a sickly shade of gray, and its eyes glowed with an eerie red light. Wings sprouted from its back, and its fingers elongated into sharp claws. The midwives watched in horror as the child morphed into a monstrous creature, unlike anything they had ever seen.

The creature let out a screech that echoed through the cabin, causing the midwives to recoil in terror. It flapped its wings and flew up the chimney, disappearing into the stormy night. Deborah lay on the bed, exhausted and

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horrified, her mind reeling from the sight of her transformed child.

Section 9: The Aftermath

The midwives fled the cabin, spreading the tale of the monstrous birth throughout the village. The news spread like wildfire, and soon the entire community was gripped by fear and superstition. The legend of the Jersey Devil was born, and the Pine Barrens were forever changed.

Deborah was left to grapple with the guilt and horror of what she had unleashed. She became a recluse, shunned by the villagers who feared her and the curse she had invoked. John tried to support her, but he too was haunted by the events of that night.

As the weeks passed, reports of strange sightings and eerie occurrences in the Pine Barrens began to surface. Livestock were found mutilated, and strange noises echoed through the woods at night. The

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villagers lived in constant fear, always looking over their shoulders for the creature that had come to be known as the Jersey Devil.

Section 10: The First Sighting

One cold winter night, a group of hunters ventured into the Pine Barrens in search of game. They were experienced woodsmen, familiar with the dangers of the forest. But nothing could have prepared them for what they encountered.

As they trudged through the snow, they heard a strange, unearthly sound. It was a high-pitched screech, like the cry of a wounded animal, but unlike anything they had ever heard before. They exchanged uneasy glances and pressed on, their guns at the ready.

Suddenly, one of the hunters let out a shout of alarm. The others turned to see a dark figure swooping down from the trees. It moved with incredible speed, its

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wings beating furiously as it approached. The hunters fired their guns, but the creature was too quick. It let out a terrifying screech and attacked, its claws tearing through their flesh.

The survivors fled in terror, leaving their fallen comrades behind. They ran through the forest, their hearts pounding with fear. When they finally reached the village, they were barely coherent, their minds shattered by the

Chapter 2: The Birth

Section 1: The Storm Approaches

The Pine Barrens were shrouded in an unnatural stillness as the storm approached. The air was thick and heavy, laden with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The animals sensed the impending tempest, their calls falling silent, leaving an eerie quiet.

Inside the Leeds' cabin, Deborah lay in

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bed, her body racked with pain as labor began. Her twelve children huddled together in a corner, their wide eyes reflecting the flickering light of the fireplace. John paced the room, his face etched with worry and fatigue. The midwives, summoned from the village, prepared for what they hoped would be a normal delivery, but an unspoken dread hung in the air.

Section 2: The Labor Begins

The first contraction hit Deborah like a wave of agony, doubling her over. She gritted her teeth, stifling a scream as she clutched the bed sheets. The midwives moved quickly, their hands steady but their eyes betraying their fear. They had heard the rumors, the whispers of a cursed child, but they pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on their task.

John knelt by Deborah’s side, wiping the sweat from her brow. You’re strong, Deborah. You can do this, he

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murmured, his voice breaking with emotion.

Deborah’s eyes met his, filled with a mix of pain and terror. John, I’m scared. Something’s wrong. I can feel it.

John squeezed her hand, trying to mask his own fear. It’s just a difficult labor, that’s all. The midwives will help you.

But deep down, he knew there was something unnatural about this birth. The storm outside seemed to mirror the turmoil within their home, growing in intensity as Deborah’s labor progressed.

Section 3: The Cabin in Chaos

As the hours dragged on, the storm intensified. Lightning split the sky, followed by deafening cracks of thunder that rattled the cabin’s walls. The wind howled like a banshee, and rain lashed against the windows in relentless sheets. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, fraught with fear and anticipation.

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Deborah’s screams grew louder, her pain almost unbearable. The midwives exchanged worried glances, their faces pale in the dim light. It’s taking too long, one of them whispered. Something’s not right.

The children huddled closer together, their small faces contorted with fear. The eldest, a boy of fourteen, tried to comfort his siblings, but his own fear was palpable. It’s going to be okay, he lied, his voice trembling. Mama’s strong. She’ll be alright.

John felt helpless, torn between comforting his children and supporting his wife. He prayed silently, begging for strength and protection, but the storm outside seemed to mock his pleas, growing ever more violent.

Section 4: The Moment of Birth

At the height of the storm, a piercing scream filled the cabin, louder and more desperate than any before. Deborah

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arched her back, her body convulsing as the baby finally began to emerge. The midwives moved swiftly, their hands slick with blood and sweat.

One more push, Deborah! one of them urged. You’re almost there!

Deborah summoned every ounce of strength left in her, pushing with a primal roar. The baby slid into the midwife’s waiting hands, and for a brief moment, there was silence. The midwives breathed a collective sigh of relief as they held the newborn, their initial fear giving way to hope.

But their relief was short-lived. Section 5: The Transformation

The baby’s first cry was unlike any they had ever heard. It started as a normal wail but quickly morphed into a guttural, animalistic screech. The midwives recoiled in horror as the baby began to change before their eyes.

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The infant’s skin darkened to a sickly, mottled gray. Its eyes, once a normal newborn blue, glowed an unnatural red. Small, leathery wings sprouted from its back, and its fingers elongated into sharp, claw-like appendages. The transformation was swift and terrifying, leaving no doubt that this was no ordinary child.

Deborah, weak and exhausted, could only watch in horror as the midwives screamed and backed away from the creature. No...no, it can’t be! she cried, her voice breaking. What have I done?

John stood frozen, his mind struggling to comprehend the nightmare unfolding before him. The creature let out another ear-piercing screech, flapping its wings furiously. The children screamed and huddled closer together, their terror palpable.

Section 6: The Creature Escapes

In a frenzy of motion, the creature flew

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up the chimney, its claws scraping against the brick. The wind outside howled even louder, as if in response to the creature’s escape. John rushed to the fireplace, but it was too late. The monstrous child was gone, lost to the stormy night.

The midwives fled the cabin, their faces ashen with terror. We must warn the village! one of them shouted as they disappeared into the darkness. The devil is loose in the Pine Barrens!

Deborah collapsed back onto the bed, her body trembling with shock and exhaustion. John wrapped his arms around her, his own heart pounding with fear. We’ll get through this, Deborah, he whispered, though his words felt hollow. We have to.

Section 7: The Aftermath

The storm began to subside as dawn approached, leaving behind a landscape ravaged by its fury. Inside the cabin, the

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atmosphere was one of stunned silence and disbelief. The children, exhausted from fear and lack of sleep, had finally dozed off in a huddled mass. Deborah lay in bed, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind unable to process the events of the night.

John moved mechanically, cleaning up the remnants of the birth with a heavy heart. He avoided looking at the blood-stained sheets, trying to block out the memory of the creature that had emerged from his wife’s womb. His hands trembled as he worked, the full weight of their predicament pressing down on him.

Outside, the Pine Barrens were eerily quiet, the storm having driven away any remaining wildlife. The trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches heavy with rain. The once comforting sounds of nature were replaced by an oppressive stillness, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

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Section 8: The Village Reacts

Word of the monstrous birth spread quickly through the village. The midwives, pale and shaken, recounted the horrifying details to anyone who would listen. Fear and superstition took hold of the villagers, who had always harbored a healthy respect for the dark and mysterious Pine Barrens.

The village elders convened an emergency meeting in the town square. People gathered, their faces etched with worry and fear. The atmosphere was tense, whispers of curses and dark magic filling the air.

We must take action, one elder declared, his voice grave. This creature cannot be allowed to roam free. It is an abomination, a sign that we have angered the spirits of the forest.

But what can we do? another villager

asked, his voice trembling. "We are just

simple folk. How can we fight a creature

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born of dark magic?"

The elders exchanged uneasy glances. We must consult the old woman, one of them finally said. She knows the ways of the forest. Perhaps she can help us.

Section 9: The Old Woman's Guidance

The villagers reluctantly approached the old woman’s hut, deep in the heart of the Pine Barrens. She was a reclusive figure, known for her knowledge of herbs and folklore, but also feared for her rumored connections to the supernatural.

The old woman greeted them with a knowing look, as if she had been expecting their visit. So, the curse has come to pass, she said in a voice that seemed to echo with the weight of centuries. The creature you speak of is the result of dark forces, awakened by a mother’s curse.

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The villagers listened in stunned silence as she recounted the tale of Deborah Leeds and the curse she had uttered. There is little that can be done to reverse the curse, she continued. But there may be a way to protect yourselves and perhaps even banish the creature from these woods.

She handed them a small, leather-bound book filled with ancient symbols and rituals. This contains the knowledge you seek, she said. But be warned, the path ahead is fraught with danger. The creature is powerful and will not be easily subdued.

Section 10: A Plan is Formed

Armed with the old woman’s guidance, the villagers returned to the town square to formulate a plan. The book detailed a complex ritual that required rare herbs, precise incantations, and the cooperation of the entire village.

We must prepare, the elder said.

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Gather the herbs, memorize the incantations. This is our only chance to rid the Pine Barrens of this curse.

The villagers set to work, each tasked with a specific role. Some ventured into the forest to gather the necessary herbs, while others practiced the incantations. The children were kept indoors, their parents’ faces grim with determination